Overview

Title

To require the Secretary of Defense to develop, in cooperation with allies and partners in the Middle East, an integrated space and satellite security capability, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The bill wants the U.S. to work with friends in the Middle East to plan how to keep space and satellites safe, like making sure bad guys don’t break them, and they have to tell Congress their plan soon.

Summary AI

H.R. 10108, also known as the "Space Technology and Regional Security Act of 2024" or "STARS Act of 2024," requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to work with Middle Eastern allies and partners to create a strategy for integrated space and satellite security. This strategy aims to protect space systems from adversarial threats and improve security through data-sharing and cooperative efforts. The bill includes a plan to incorporate Israel into multilateral space security partnerships and calls for assessments of threats, current capabilities, and resource sharing. The strategy must be submitted to Congress within 60 days and needs to protect sensitive information while enhancing security cooperation in the region.

Published

2024-11-08
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2024-11-08
Package ID: BILLS-118hr10108ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
1,104
Pages:
6
Sentences:
29

Language

Nouns: 372
Verbs: 81
Adjectives: 40
Adverbs: 5
Numbers: 19
Entities: 71

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.64
Average Sentence Length:
38.07
Token Entropy:
4.84
Readability (ARI):
23.16

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Space Technology and Regional Security Act of 2024" or "STARS Act of 2024," commands the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of State, to develop a space and satellite security strategy geared towards the Middle East. This initiative aims to dovetail with the diplomatic progress symbolized by the Abraham Accords and plans to incorporate Israel into the United States Central Command's sphere of influence. The bill's primary goal is to create a multilateral data-sharing agreement to bolster the security infrastructure against space-related threats, ensuring the protection of people, assets, and territories involved.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several critical issues emerge from the proposed bill, as outlined in Section 2. One concern is the lack of detailed cost estimates associated with developing this security capability, which could lead to financial inefficiencies or misappropriation. Furthermore, the bill's language regarding terms like “multilateral space situational awareness data-sharing agreement” and “integrated space and satellite security architecture” lacks clarity, which might cause confusion among stakeholders and hinder effective implementation.

Another significant issue is the absence of specific guidelines on how the financial responsibilities will be shared among the United States and its Middle Eastern partners, potentially leading to diplomatic tensions if the burden appears unequal. Additionally, the bill does not specify which organizations will be primarily responsible for executing various collaborative efforts, raising concerns about potential inefficiency or favoritism.

The timeline for strategy submission—60 days—raises questions about the potential for a rushed or incomplete strategic proposal, possibly affecting national security policy effectiveness. Lastly, the bill does not establish accountability or oversight mechanisms to ensure successful monitoring and reporting on the strategy's implementation, bringing legal and ethical transparency concerns to the forefront.

Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, the bill could have considerable implications for public safety and national security if effectively implemented. By strengthening space and satellite security capabilities in the Middle East, the legislation could enhance the protection of various nations associated with the United States against potential space-related threats, contributing to global and regional stability.

However, the ambiguity surrounding cost specifics and strategy execution might lead to inefficient use of taxpayer dollars, potentially causing public concern over government spending. Additionally, without clear accountability measures, the general public may question the effectiveness and transparency of the entire initiative.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For the United States and its Middle Eastern allies, the proposed bill offers an opportunity to enhance collective security through advanced and integrated measures. This can lead to strengthened diplomatic ties and improved readiness against adversarial activities.

Nevertheless, Middle Eastern partners may be concerned about the financial responsibilities and the distribution of those costs, possibly leading to strains in partnerships if not equitably addressed. Moreover, stakeholders tasked with implementing the strategy may face difficulties due to unclear definitions and responsibilities, influencing operational efficiency.

The defense and aerospace industries could benefit from increased demand for relevant technologies and services aimed at bolstering space and satellite security. Nevertheless, they may also face challenges if legislative ambiguities lead to inconsistent policy interpretations or delayed implementation processes.

In conclusion, while the STARS Act aims to fortify regional security in a strategically significant area, various unresolved issues in its current form could constrain its potential impacts, necessitating clarified guidelines and a more robust framework for implementation.

Issues

  • The lack of specific details and cost estimates in Section 2 concerning the development of a Middle East integrated space and satellite security capability could lead to unmonitored and potentially wasteful spending, making it a significant financial concern.

  • In Section 2, the ambiguous language around terms like 'multilateral space situational awareness data-sharing agreement' and 'integrated space and satellite security architecture' needs clarification to ensure all stakeholders have a shared understanding, which is crucial for effective implementation and political consensus.

  • The absence of clarity on how costs will be shared among the United States and its allies and partners in the Middle East, as noted in Section 2, could result in an imbalanced financial burden, potentially causing diplomatic tensions.

  • Section 2 lacks specific accountability or oversight mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of the strategy, posing legal and ethical concerns regarding the effectiveness and transparency of enactment.

  • The broad mandate in Section 2 to collaborate with allies and partners without specifying primary responsible entities may lead to inefficiency or favoritism, which can have significant political implications.

  • The 60-day timeframe in Section 2 for strategy submission might not provide sufficient time for thorough development and consultation, risking a superficial or incomplete strategy that could impact national security policy efficacy.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill provides the short title, stating that the official name of the legislation is the "Space Technology and Regional Security Act of 2024," commonly referred to as the "STARS Act of 2024."

2. Middle East integrated space and satellite security capability Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The bill mandates the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of State, to develop a strategy for enhancing space and satellite security in the Middle East, building on the Abraham Accords. It includes creating a multilateral agreement to share data and improve security against space threats, with specific measures and assessments to be submitted to Congress.